Sotheby’s Institute of Art has designed an online delivery of our signature MA in Art Business. The Online MA in Art Business delivers all of the academic content remotely. The curriculum remains aligned with the listed in-person MA at Sotheby’s Institute in New York and is accredited by NASAD (the National Association of Schools of Art and Design). Some modifications to the curriculum have been implemented to reflect best practices in online learning, as well as to better meet the needs of students, both domestic and international, for whom a degree completed over 18 to 24 months in an online mode is well adapted to their ongoing professional and personal commitments.
This program combines academic rigor with cutting-edge virtual learning technologies.
MA in Art Business (Online) students will be immersed in case studies that offer firsthand experience, such as analyzing the impact of blockchain technology on art transactions. Students interact with each other and learn together in projects and other activities.
The curriculum is designed to reflect the dynamic nature of the art market, ensuring that students stay updated on emerging technologies and market trends. Download the Master’s prospectus.
Renowned speakers and thought leaders Guest speakers from renowned international art organizations provide valuable insights and global perspective. Past speakers for our MA in Art Business program have included Charles F. Stewart, Noah Horowitz, Jerry Saltz, Kate Rothko Prizel, Nanne Dekking, Thelma Golden, Dominique Levy, Alfredo Jaar, and Shirin Neshat.
Build a portfolio Signature student projects include designing themed auction sales catalogues, writing condition reports, curating art exhibitions and collections, valuation problem-solving, contract negotiating preparation, articulating critical reviews, and entrepreneurial project planning.
Join a growing professional community Foster networking opportunities and career growth by connecting with an extensive network of art professionals, offering virtual access to career fairs and internships.
Extensive databases and electronic library resources In addition to important academic resources such as JSTOR and the ProQuest suite of databases, students have access to Lexis/Nexus and important professional art market resources such as Artnet and ArtPrice plus hundreds of thousands of ebooks via ProQuest eBook Central.
Immersive case studies The curriculum reflects the dynamic nature of the art market, equipping students with up-to-date knowledge on emerging technologies and market trends.
Adjunct Faculty, MA Art Business, Online
Lawrence S. Motz is an adjunct faculty member at Sotheby's Institute New York. Upon graduation from business school, Motz became an institutional emerging markets bond trader and later an investment banker with Prudential Securities, PaineWebber (UBS), and Kaufman Brothers, a boutique investment bank specializing in telecommunications. During that time, he also co-founded and served as CFO of eNet China, an early online Internet retailer headquartered in Beijing, China.
Read MoreFaculty, MA Art Business, New York & Online
Judith Prowda has been a member of the Sotheby’s institute of Art Masters of Art Business Faculty since 2007. She is an attorney, mediator, and arbitrator focused on art law, copyright, entertainment and commercial law. She is a founding member of Stropheus Art Law, a collective of art law and business specialists who offer unbundled services to the art community.
Read MoreAdjunct Faculty, MA Art Business, New York and Online Premier
Betsy Thomas is the founder and director of Thomas Art Advisory LLC, an art advisory and appraisal firm based in New York. She works closely with private collectors and institutions advising them on how to build high-quality collections as well as managing sales of estates, private and corporate collections as well as helping them navigate the charitable donation landscape.
Read MoreAdjunct Faculty, MA Art Business, New York and Online Premier
Maria brings over 25 years of international experience in the art world, first at museums – National Museum of Catalan Art, MNAC, in Barcelona and at the Louvre in Paris- then at Sotheby’s Auction House in London. During her time at Sotheby’s, she gained experience in all aspects of the auction world with a focus on business and client development. She has participated in numerous auctions and worked closely with all Sotheby’s European offices.
Read MoreAdjunct Faculty, New York
Klaudia Ofwona Draber is a curator and the founder of KODA—a social practice residency for mid-career artists. She has lived and led arts, technology and strategy projects in Europe, Africa, and the United States. Her professional experience includes working as the Head of Public Relations at the Polish Cultural Institute New York, and as a consultant to the British Council Arts. She also worked at UBS, managing global change and local arts CSR projects.
Read MoreTailored for ambitious learners, the MA in Art Business (Online) is for those who wish to gain expertise in art markets, business, and entrepreneurship, through dynamic online learning, industry mentorship, and networking opportunities. Thanks to the Institute’s advanced online technology, students interact with each other and learn together in projects and other activities. The program has been designed for those who prefer to access the Institute’s learning through in an online mode, due to professional or personal commitments.
Our global career services department has worked with a number of art businesses offering virtual internships. Our MA programs aim to foster networking opportunities and facilitate career growth for students by providing them with access to an extensive network of art professionals. Through virtual platforms, students can engage in career fairs and explore internship opportunities, connecting with industry experts and expanding their professional connections.
In consideration of flexibility, the MA Art Business (Online) degree offers self-guided field studies and/or professional art practices supervised by the Institute’s faculty.
Topics include: Art & Finance, Art Market Research and Valuation, Art Law: The Legal Cycle of Art from the Studio to the Market, International Art Markets, Art Law Ethics and Policy, Collection Building and Art Advisory, Methods of Research, Digital Strategy and Marketing, and Art Systems: Museum, Auctions and Galleries.
Download the Master’s prospectus for further details on the course curriculum including core modules and elective options.
The MA Art Business (Online) program is designed for students to have the flexibility to complete the program at their own pace, in 3, 4, or 5 semesters. Students begin their classes in the Fall, take a minimum of 2 classes per semester and follow the sequence of classes and subject areas covered in the in-person program.
The weekly instruction involves two pre-recorded video lectures for students to view on their own schedule, as well as one live virtual class section per week held at a scheduled time. Students are supported throughout by extensive library resources, faculty advisors, and opportunities for peer collaboration. This blended online approach allows working professionals and students from all backgrounds to complete their MA in Art Business affordably and with maximum flexibility while still gaining deep engagement with faculty and peers.
September 2025 Entry
Dates to be announced
Fall 2025 Tuition and Fees
| Per Credit Tuition | Tuition for 36 credits* |
| $1,411 | $50,796 |
*Please note this is tuition only. The total MA degree consists of 36 credit hours.
*The number of credits and total tuition each semester may vary depending on your selected track
For more information on tuition and program fees, click here
From application information to course credits, find answers on our FAQ page. If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for, contact an Admissions counselor.
Explore our library of academic and campus policies here. All students who enroll for graduate study must agree to the Terms and Conditions upon accepting their offer of admittance.
The MA Art Business (Online) degree is awarded by Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York. Sotheby’s Institute of Art-New York holds degree-granting authority from the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York and is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
Download the Master’s degree prospectus for an in-depth look at the curriculum and what to expect this academic year.
The Enterprise Studio was created as an extra-curricular program for Master’s students to receive training and support for new business ventures, culminating in a start-up pitch competition, the Gavel. Through close access to mentors, students have the chance to shape their plans from ideation to execution with the winning Gavel team receiving significant seed funding for their future business.